Wess: a generic combat effectiveness simulation system

Abstract

Combat Systems Effectiveness Simulation (CESS) is an important supportive means to combat systems analysis and conceptual design. Traditional approaches in developing CESS systems fall into two general categories. One is to apply generic simulation formalisms and platforms to build simulation applications each specific to a set of concrete application requirements. The other is to focus on a certain combat system domain for which a dedicated simulation system is developed. When confronted with non-functional issues like model reusability, simulation composability, and system evolvability, both find their limitations. Based on years experiences in CESS field and best practices found in overseas CESS systems, the model architecture is believed to be the key to develop CESS systems. In this paper, a model architecture-based generic CESS system, named WESS, is introduced. The design rationale, software architecture, application processes, and key aspects of WESS are briefed. A typical case study is given to demonstrate the functionalities of WESS. Practical applications tell WESS is able to help modelers to achieve those aims important to CESS including reusability, composability, and evolvability.